Group 5 Presentation

1. Group 5 Presentation Kevin Castro, Zachery Surbeck, Jonathan Paez, Jaclyn Koonce, Cam Fetner, Morgan Hicks

2. Flaxseed Oil

3. Background • Belongs to the Linum family, Linumusitatissimumwhich is Latin for "very useful" • Also known as “Linseed Oil”. • The Flax plant itself has been used as far back as 30,000BC where remains of Flax fabric fibers have been found.  Groom Q (2014) The distribution of the vascular plants on the North Frisian Island, Amrum. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1108. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e1108

4. Background • Takes about 100 days to grow • Doesn’t require lots of water or maintenance. • Flax was used in MANY ways: • Plant made into clothing and rope • Seeds were ripened and used to make oil. • Seeds and plant were also eaten for nutrition.  • Animal feed.  Groom Q (2014) The distribution of the vascular plants on the North Frisian Island, Amrum. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1108. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e1108

5. Therapeutic Uses • Alternative to Fish Oil • Due to it containing ALA, a precursor to EPA and DHA. • Relieves Constipation and Diarrhea • Flaxseed oil lubricates the colon and contains fiber • Weight Loss aid • Quick emptying of colon through lubrication and fiber content. • Anti-Cancer  • Complementary use with breast cancer therapy can effect estrogen receptor. “6 Benefits of Flaxseed Oil - Plus How to Use It.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/nutrition/flaxseed-oil-benefits#section1.

6. Therapeutic Uses • Promotes Cardiovascular Health • Omega 3 fatty acids (from ALA) can help reduce blood pressure slightly and protect against clots. • Helps lower Cholesterol • ALA converts to EPA and DHA  in the body which are known to help lower triglycerides. • Possible Anti-Inflammatory effects • Through lignans found in flaxseed oil “6 Benefits of Flaxseed Oil - Plus How to Use It.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/nutrition/flaxseed-oil-benefits#section1.

7. Therapeutic Uses

8. Mechanism of Action • Flaxseed oil contains a high amount of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber. • ALA is a precursor to EPA and DHA found in fish oil supplements and therefore is theorized to work in similar ways. • In terms of antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to suppress oxygen-free radicals from neutrophils and monocytes, as well as the production of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and luekotriene B4.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

9. Mechanism of Action • Lignans can act on estrogen receptors as either estrogen antagonists, or estrogen agonists (in postmenopausal women with low estradiol levels) • Cancer protective mechanism is unknown. • It may be due to antioxidant properties, effects on hormone metabolism, or the anti-angiogenic effect of lignans.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

10. Dosing • Different doses have been used for different purposes.  • There isn't a set recommended dose, but the general recommendation is 1 to 2 capsules a day (each capsule is about 1 gram of flaxseed oil). • Some people go up to 10 grams a day.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

11. Safety Concernsand Considerations • Do not use during pregnancy as it may cause mild hormonal side effects. No reliable information on whether it's safe to use while breastfeeding.  • Like other fiber supplements, should be taken with plenty of water to reduce chances of worsening constipation and in rare cases, intestinal blockage.  • However, the amount of fiber in flaxseed oil compared to flax is relatively low.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

12. Safety Concernsand Considerations • Because of its phytoestrogen content, it may weakly interact with oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

13. Adverse Effects • Generally well tolerated. • The reported adverse effects have been associated with an allergy to flaxseed (type 1 hypersensitivity)  • These include pruritus, urticaria, nausea/vomiting, intestinal/abdominal pain, diarrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, and intense general malaise.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

14. Drug Interactions • Theoretically flaxseed oil may potentiate the effects of anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, NSAIDs, antihyperlipidemic agents, antihypertensive agents, and mood stabilizer agents; however, no clinical cases have been reported.  • Therefore, consider taking precautions in patients taking drugs like warfarin, statins, etc.  “Flax Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html. 

15. Maca

16. Background • Maca (Lepidiummeyenii) is a plant that grows in central Peru in the high plateaus of the Andes Mountains, where it has been cultivated as a vegetable crop for at least 3000 years • Its root is used to make medicine, as it holds all of the active nutrients • Traditionally, it has been used to relieve stress, as an aphrodisiac and for fertility enhancement in both males and females Axe, Josh. “The Best Natural Substance for Libido.” Dr. Axe, 4 Jan. 2018, draxe.com/top-5-maca-root-benefits-and-nutrition/.

17. Therapeutic Uses • Improves female sexual dysfunction • Early research shows taking maca twice daily for 12 weeks slightly improves sexual dysfunction in women taking antidepressants • Improves postmenopausal symptoms • Taking maca daily for 6 weeks slightly improves blood pressure and some aspects of mood, including depression and anxiety • Enhances male fertility  • Research shows that taking maca daily for 4 months increases semen and sperm count • Improves sexual desire in males • Research has shown that taking maca daily for 12 weeks can increase sexual desire in healthy men “Maca.” Medline Plus Supplements, Medline Plus, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/555.html .

18. Therapeutic Uses • Enhances mood, energy, and memory • Supports endocrine health • Often used as remedy for hypothyroidism • Enhances immune system • Antioxidant • Protects cell from oxidative stress and is capable of scavenging free radicals • Decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels • Lowered VLDL, LDL, TC and TG levels in the plasma and liver of rats • Osteoporosis in menopausal women • Improved bone mass and restored trabecular network in lumbar vertebrae of rats • Prostatic hyperplasia • Red maca reduced ventral prostate size in rats • Has been used by the native people of the Andes as a remedy for anemia, tuberculosis and stomach cancer “Maca.” Medline Plus Supplements, Medline Plus, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/555.html .

19. Mechanism of Action • Dried maca root contains 59% carbohydrates, 10.2% protein, 8.5% fibers and 2.2% lipids including linolenic, palmitic and oleic acids • It contains sterols such as campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol • Also has significant amounts of minerals including iron, calcium and copper • Glucosinolates and isothiocynates have anticancer activity and may be responsible for some activity in maca; aromatic isothiocynates may be asociated with aphrodisiac activity • Phenols may be responsible for antioxidant activity • Lipid extracts of two polyunsaturated fatty acids, macaene and macamide, seem to increase sexual activity and correct ED in experimental animals • There is not enough information to know exactly how maca works “Maca.” Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=555%C2%A0.

20. Dosing • Studies suggest maca in capsule form is safe in doses of 1,500 to 3,000 mg daily for up to four months • Root powder containing 2,800 mg of maca root mixed with 8 ounces of water is also used up to three times daily • Common dietary consumption in native populations is greater than 100 grams daily “AARP's Health Tools.” AARP, healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/2%C2%A0.

21. Safety Concerns and Considerations • Avoid if pregnant or breast-feeding. There is not enough reliable information to prove its safety.  • Avoid with any hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast, uterine and ovarian cancers, and endometriosis. Maca extracts might act like estrogen. • Maca must be cooked before consumption, as it is very strong on the stomach lining and can cause severe digestive upset “AARP's Health Tools.” AARP, healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/2%C2%A0.

22. Adverse Effects • Studies in humans have only been performed on male subjects in which no side effects were noted.  • Consumption of large amounts may cause bloating and flatulence, while consuming fresh maca can cause stomach pain.  • Maca may cause changes in sex hormones, although animal studies have demonstrated conflicting results. • Maca root contains more than 50ug of iodine, which can worse the side effects of thyroid disease • Use can increase leukocytes and decrease PT/INR values in patients being monitored for anticoagulation therapy • May also lead to stimulation of the CNS “AARP's Health Tools.” AARP, healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/2%C2%A0.

23. Drug Interactions • Plants in the Brassicaceae family are often rich in Vitamin K. Therefore, maca can increase the risk of bleeding. • Caution when taking with aspirin, anticoagulants, anti-platelet drugs and NSAIDs • Maca can act as a stimulant and cause hypertension. Patients on HTN medications and other stimulants should consult their doctor before using maca. • Maca can alter the levels of sex hormones and may interfere with hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills “AARP's Health Tools.” AARP, healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/2%C2%A0.

24. Sources • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152533/ • https://nccih.nih.gov/health/flaxseed/ataglance.htm • https://www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html • https://www.drugs.com/npp/maca.html • https://draxe.com/top-5-maca-root-benefits-and-nutrition/ • http://healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/2 • http://healthtools.aarp.org/natstandardcontent/maca/3 • http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=555